Multi-purpose neck support assembly

ABSTRACT

A portable headrest assembly having a foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly with an open proximal end. The platform assembly is adapted to support a padded assembly and a user&#39;s head. A foldable, portable stand assembly with a central support assembly is pivotally coupled to at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies adapted to support the inventive concept in a freestanding position. A telescoping rod assembly is disposed through the central support assembly of the portable stand assembly, the top end portion coupled to a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly. At least one first tightener and loosener assembly circumscribes the telescoping rod assembly, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly is disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the joint and loosener assemblies designed to change and maintain the optimal height and angle of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional application with Ser. No. 63/017644, filed on Apr. 29, 2020 with the same title, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept relates generally to a multi-purpose neck support device.

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are several solutions for resting your neck while face down as illustrated by a person seated while traveling. One of these solutions attempts to utilize a neck pillow, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because neck pillows support your neck only when you are leaning back. Another solution attempts to rest your head on your hands, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because resting your head on your hands becomes tiring. Still another solution seeks to utilize pillows, but this solution also fails to meet market needs because pillows only support one side of your head. The solutions may also lack other utilities to offset the burden of carrying or storing the solution. A common challenge is to find a way to rest your neck in a space that was not optimized for resting and so may lack supports or the option to lean back or rest toward the side. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that supports a user's neck when face down and may have other utilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a portable headrest assembly designed to support a padded assembly on which a user could rest his or her head, but which could also serve other functions. A foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly with a top surface, a bottom surface, and an open proximal end is designed to support a padded assembly and a user's head. There is provided a foldable, portable stand assembly with a central support assembly that has a distal end pivotally coupled to at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies and a proximal end designed to support the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly in a freestanding position. A telescoping rod assembly is disposed through the central support assembly of the portable stand assembly with a top end portion and a bottom end portion, the top end portion coupled to a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly coupled to the bottom surface of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly. At least one first tightener and loosener assembly circumscribes the telescoping rod assembly, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly is disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the at least one first and second tightener and loosener assemblies designed to change and maintain the optimal height and angle of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly for the user.

In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the portable headrest assembly designed to support a padded assembly includes a left side tab assembly and a right side tab assembly pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly, the left side tab assembly and the right side tab assembly designed to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly.

In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the portable headrest assembly designed to support a padded assembly includes a pliable, textured grip assembly disposed planarly on the top surface of the foldable, substantially planar U-shaped platform assembly, the pliable textured grip assembly designed to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly.

In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the portable headrest assembly designed to support a padded assembly includes a substantially rigid structural rib assembly disposed substantially planarly on the bottom surface of the foldable, substantially planar U-shaped platform assembly, the substantially rigid structural rib assembly designed to reinforce the rigidity of the foldable, substantially planar U-shaped platform assembly.

In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the pliable, textured grip assembly is made from a silicone-based material. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the pliable, textured grip assembly could also be made from a polymer of plastic or rubber.

In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly is detachable from the proximal end of the central support assembly that is designed to support the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly in a freestanding position.

In one embodiment of the inventive concept, the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly may pivot or tilt forward to hold objects such as tablets or books, and in this embodiment, the left side tab and the right side tab of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly may provide further support.

One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that by using standard or universal connector assemblies, the inventive concept could serve other purposes such has to hold a camera assembly or microphone assembly. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the inventive concept could include a carrying case.

The padded assembly could be, but is not limited to, a U-shaped portable pillow assembly commonly used by passengers of airplanes and trains.

It would be advantageous to have the inventive concept be portable. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have the inventive concept be compact. Still further, it would be advantageous to have the inventive concept be adjustable.

The inventive concept advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a multi-purpose neck support, which provides a way for users to relieve neck pain when traveling.

Among other things, it is an advantage of the inventive concept to provide a multi-purpose neck support that does not suffer from problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions. It is still further an advantage of the inventive concept to be compact.

The inventive concept now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete, and will fully convey the full scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front side view of an inventive head and neck support assembly concept.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back-side view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 4 illustrates a right-side view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom side view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top side view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the inventive concept.

FIG. 9 illustrates a universal connecting member of the inventive concept.

FIG. 10A and 10B illustrate a method of using the inventive concept to support an user's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and inventive concept according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

Referring to the Figures, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate, in one example embodiment, a foldable, detachable substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100 with a top surface 110, a bottom surface 190, and an open proximal end 150. The foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100 is designed to support a padded assembly and a user's head. A foldable, portable stand assembly 200 with a central support assembly 250 is pivotally coupled to at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies 230 designed to support the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100 in a freestanding position. A telescoping rod assembly 240 is disposed through the central support assembly 250 of the portable stand assembly 200 with a top end portion 241 and a bottom end portion 249, the top end portion 241 coupled to a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly 260, the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly 260 coupled to the bottom surface 190 of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100. A first tightener and loosener assembly 270 circumscribes the telescoping rod assembly 240, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly 262 is disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly 260, the at least one first tightener and loosener assembly 270 and the at least one second tightener and loosener assembly 262 designed to change and maintain a selected or optimal height and angle of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100. The inventive concept may have at least one or more of a universal connecting member 263 designed to secure at least one or more of a camera and microphone.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, a left side tab assembly 181 and a right side tab assembly 189 are pivotally coupled to the proximal end 150 of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100, the left side tab assembly 181 and the right side tab assembly 189 designed to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface 110 of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, a pliable, textured grip assembly 120 is disposed planarly on the top surface 110 of the foldable, substantially planar U-shaped platform assembly, the pliable textured grip assembly 120 designed to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface 110 of the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly 100.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, the pliable, textured grip assembly 120 is composed substantially of silicone. This embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100 could include the pliable, textured grip assembly 120 being composed substantially of a polymer.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, a substantially rigid structural rib assembly 127 is disposed substantially planarly on the bottom surface 190 of the foldable, substantially planar U-shaped platform assembly 100. The substantially rigid structural rib assembly 127 is designed to reinforce the rigidity of the foldable, substantially planar U-shaped platform assembly 100.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, the telescoping rod assembly 240 is designed, when in a retracted state, and when the at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies are laterally extended, to provide an added support member for weight disposed on the U-shaped platform assembly 100.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, the telescoping rod assembly 240 and a distal portion of the U-shaped platform assembly 159 may extend up to about 11 inches.

In this embodiment of the portable headrest assembly 100, the U-shaped platform assembly 100 can be detached and folded to dimensions of about 10.5 inches, by 7.0 inches, by 0.75 inches and the stand assembly 200 retracted to about 7.5 inches in length.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a method for using a portable headrest assembly 100 that is designed to support a padded assembly. The method involves extending each of at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies from a foldable, portable stand assembly with a central support assembly having a distal end pivotally coupled to a proximal end of a central support assembly designed to support a foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly in a freestanding position 900. The method further involves unfolding the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly, the U-shaped platform assembly having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an open proximal end 910. The method further involves adjusting to a selected position a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly coupled to the bottom surface of the U-shaped platform assembly and a telescoping rod assembly disposed through the central support assembly of the portable stand assembly, the portable stand assembly having a top end portion and a bottom end portion 920. The method further involves securing the adjusted position of the U-shaped platform assembly by way of at least one first tightener and loosener assembly circumscribing the telescoping rod assembly, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the at least one first tightener and loosener assembly and the at least one second tightener and loosener assembly designed to change and maintain the optimal height and angle of the U-shaped platform assembly 930. The method may further involve deploying a left side tab assembly and a right side tab assembly disposed on a proximal end of the U-shaped platform assembly, the left side tab assembly and the right side tab assembly designed to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly 940.

The following patents or publications are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 20020050009, 6,805,403, 7,748,064, 2017/0251813, 2013/0047342, 6081947, and 2014/0130261.

While the inventive concept has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the inventive concept will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this inventive concept pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the inventive concept should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings. 

1. A portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly comprising: a foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly with a top surface, a bottom surface, and an open proximal end, the U-shaped platform assembly adapted to support the padded assembly and a user's head; a foldable, portable stand assembly with a central support assembly having a distal end pivotally coupled to at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies, a proximal end of the central support assembly adapted to support the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly in a freestanding position; a telescoping rod assembly disposed through the central support assembly of the portable stand assembly with a top end portion and a bottom end portion, the top end portion coupled to a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly coupled to the bottom surface of the U-shaped platform assembly; and at least one first tightener and loosener assembly circumscribing the telescoping rod assembly, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the at least one first tightener and loosener assembly and the at least one second tightener and loosener assembly adapted to change and maintain a selected height and angle of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 2. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 1 wherein a left side tab assembly and a right side tab assembly are pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the U-shaped platform assembly, the left side tab assembly and the right side tab assembly adapted to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 3. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 1 wherein a pliable, textured grip assembly is disposed planarly on the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly, the pliable textured grip assembly adapted to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 4. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 3 wherein the pliable, textured grip assembly is composed substantially of silicone.
 5. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 3 wherein the pliable, textured grip assembly is composed substantially of a polymer.
 6. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 1 wherein a substantially rigid structural rib assembly is disposed substantially planarly on the bottom surface of the U-shaped platform assembly, the substantially rigid structural rib assembly adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 7. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 1 wherein the telescoping rod assembly is adapted to provide an added support member for weight disposed on the U-shaped platform assembly when in at least one of a retracted state or when in a three laterally extendable leg assemblies are laterally extended.
 8. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 1 wherein the telescoping rod assembly and a distal portion of the U-shaped platform assembly may extend up to about 11 inches.
 9. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 1 wherein the U-shaped platform assembly can be detached and folded to dimensions of about 10.5 inches, by 7.0 inches, by 0.75 inches and the stand assembly retracted to about 7.5 inches in length.
 10. A portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly comprising: a foldable, substantially planar, detachable U-shaped platform assembly with a top surface, a bottom surface, and an open proximal end, the U-shaped platform assembly adapted to support the padded assembly and a user's head; a foldable, portable stand assembly with a central support assembly having a distal end pivotally coupled to at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies, a proximal end of the central support assembly adapted to support the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly in a freestanding position; a telescoping rod assembly disposed through the central support assembly of the portable stand assembly with a top end portion and a bottom end portion, the top end portion coupled to a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly coupled to the bottom surface of the U-shaped platform assembly; at least one first tightener and loosener assembly circumscribing the telescoping rod assembly, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the at least one first tightener and loosener assembly and the at least one second tightener and loosener assembly adapted to change and maintain the optimal height and angle of the U-shaped platform assembly; and at least one or more of a universal connecting member adapted to secure at least one or more of a camera and microphone.
 11. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 10 wherein a left side tab assembly and a right side tab assembly are pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the U-shaped platform assembly, the left side tab assembly and the right side tab assembly adapted to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 12. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 10 wherein a pliable, textured grip assembly is disposed planarly on the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly, the pliable textured grip assembly adapted to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 13. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 12 wherein the pliable, textured grip assembly is composed substantially of silicone.
 14. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 12 wherein the pliable, textured grip assembly is composed substantially of a polymer.
 15. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 10 wherein a substantially rigid structural rib assembly is disposed substantially planarly on the bottom surface of the U-shaped platform assembly, the substantially rigid structural rib assembly adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 16. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 10 wherein the telescoping rod assembly is adapted to provide an added support member for weight disposed on the U-shaped platform assembly when in one of a retracted state or when the at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies are laterally extended.
 17. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 10 wherein the telescoping rod assembly and distal portion of the U-shaped platform assembly may extend up to about 11 inches.
 18. The portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly of claim 10 wherein the portable headrest assembly can be detached, folded, and retracted to dimensions of about 10.5 inches, by 7.0 inches, by 0.75 inches for the U-shaped platform assembly and about 7.5 inches in length for the stand assembly.
 19. A method for using a portable headrest assembly adapted to support a padded assembly, the method comprising the steps: extending each of at least three laterally extendable leg assemblies from a foldable, portable stand assembly with a central support assembly having a distal end pivotally coupled to a proximal end of a central support assembly adapted to support a foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly in a freestanding position; unfolding the foldable, substantially planar, U-shaped platform assembly, the U-shaped platform assembly having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an open proximal end; adjusting to a selected position a longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly coupled to the bottom surface of the U-shaped platform assembly and a telescoping rod assembly disposed through the central support assembly of the portable stand assembly, the portable stand assembly having a top end portion and a bottom end portion; and securing the adjusted position of the U-shaped platform assembly by way of at least one first tightener and loosener assembly circumscribing the telescoping rod assembly, and at least one second tightener and loosener assembly disposed through the longitudinally rotatable joint assembly, the at least one first tightener and loosener assembly and the at least one second tightener and loosener assembly adapted to change and maintain a selected height and angle of the U-shaped platform assembly.
 20. The method for using a portable headrest assembly of claim 19, the method further involving pivotally deploying a left side tab assembly and a right side tab assembly disposed a the proximal end of the U-shaped platform assembly, the left side tab assembly and the right side tab assembly adapted to restrain the movement of objects disposed on or against the top surface of the U-shaped platform assembly. 